scholarly journals Black Girls And Referrals: Racial and Gender Disparities in Referral to Substance Use Disorder Screening in The Juvenile Justice System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah E Johnson ◽  
Shawnta L Lloyd ◽  
Skye C Bristol ◽  
Amy L Elliott ◽  
Linda B Cottler
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black Females ◽  
White Males ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background: Justice-involved children (JIC) have a high risk for illicit substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUD). Females are particularly vulnerable. It is critical that JIC who report current SU are referred for SUD screening to be provided with potentially life-saving treatment services. Florida law and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FLDJJ) policy mandate that JIC who report current SU be referred for SUD screening. Evidence suggests a racial referral gap among JIC who require SUD screening, and research on intersectionality suggests that these disparities may be exacerbated for minority females. Therefore, we hypothesize that Black and Latinx females will be less likely to be referred for SUD screening than White children despite reporting current substance use to FLDJJ. Methods: Multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze cross-sectional data from FLDJJ on 35,884 JIC who reported SU in the past six months. The main and interaction effects of race and gender on the likelihood of referral for SUD screening were tested. The control variables included substance type, age, household income, current SU problems, history of mental health problems, number of misdemeanors, and risk to recidivate. Results: There were no significant differences in the likelihood of being referred for SUD screening between White females and White males. However, Black females (AOR= 0.48), Latinx females (AOR= 0.77), and Black males (AOR= 0.76) were significantly less likely to be referred than White males. Black females were half as likely to be referred as White males and females. Conclusion: This study finds evidence that Black females in the juvenile justice system are significantly underserved. The justice community must leverage these findings to implement protocols that ensure equal services for all children and eliminate gender and racial disparities in SUD screening.

scholarly journals Factors associated with substance use disorder treatment completion: a cross-sectional analysis of justice-involved adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah E. Johnson ◽  
Dieu X. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Treatment Completion ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background Substance use disorders (SUD) are prevalent among those in the juvenile justice system. SUD treatment programs implemented in correctional settings can prevent overdose and other health-related problems among an underserved health disparity population. However, only a fraction of justice-involved adolescents with SUDs complete a treatment program and the factors associated with treatment completion among adolescents in the criminal justice system have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods Using cross-sectional data on 25,587 adolescents from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FLDJJ) who met the criteria for SUD treatment, the study investigated the factors associated with the completion of SUD treatment. Sociodemographic, mental health, and other variables were examined. Results Several factors were associated with an increased likelihood of SUD treatment completion: previous participation in treatment programs, prior drug and alcohol education class attendance, and involvement in court-directed programs. Additional factors included multiple incarcerations, and strong financial and support networks. Conclusions The strongest factors associated with a higher likelihood of SUD treatment completion among adolescents in the justice system are ones that can be translated into programs and practices. Repeated referrals to treatment, court-directed programs, and strong support networks may yield higher rates of completion.

Treatment Services in the Juvenile Justice System: Examining the Use and Funding of Services by Youth on Probation

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Using Data

Youth enter the juvenile justice system with a variety of service needs, particularly for mental health problems. Research has examined the extent to which youth have mental health disorders, primarily among detained youth, and factors associated with treatment referrals, but little research has examined youth on probation and the actual use of services. Using data obtained from the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department from July 2012 through August 2014 ( N = 3,779), the current study examines (1) the factors associated with receiving treatment services while on probation and (2) the factors associated with receiving treatment services through different funding streams. Findings reveal that only about 25% of the sample of youth on probation received treatment services, suggesting the underservicing of youth. Consistent with prior research, there were also racial and ethnic disparities concerning treatment use, with Blacks and Latinos less likely to receive services. Additionally, certain characteristics of youth and their background influenced the funding source for treatment services. Implications for policy and research are discussed in light of these findings.

The Impact of Victimization, Mental Health Problems, and Disabilities on Juvenile Justice Processing: Does Gender Matter?

2020 ◽  
pp. 001112872095002
Author(s):  
Allison T. Chappell ◽  
Scott R. Maggard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Delinquent Behavior ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Impact

Victimization, mental health problems, and disabilities are associated with an increased likelihood of delinquent behavior, and girls in the juvenile justice system report higher rates of past trauma and victimization, sexual abuse, and mental health issues than boys. However, the influence of these problems on juvenile justice processing remains understudied. This study investigated the impact of victimization, mental health problems, disabilities, and comorbidity on intake and adjudication decisions across gender. Data on 74,636 intake cases were obtained from the centralized database of the juvenile justice office in a mid-Atlantic state (FY 2011–2015). Findings suggest that mental health problems, victimization, and disabilities are associated with increased punitiveness at intake but few consistent gender differences emerged. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Racial Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrika McCoy ◽  
Emalee Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Youth Of Color ◽  
Impact Reduction ◽  
Decision Points ◽  
Prevention Act ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
And Gender

Racial disparities in the juvenile justice system, more commonly known as disproportionate minority contact (DMC), are the overrepresentation, disparity, and disproportionate numbers of youth of color entering and moving deeper into the juvenile justice system. There has been some legislative attention to the issue since the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) and most recently with attempts in 2017 to reauthorize the Act. Originally focused solely on confinement, it became clear by 1988 there was disproportionality at all decision points in the juvenile justice system, and the focus changed to contact. DMC most commonly is known to impact Black and Hispanic youth, but a closer look reveals how other youth of color are also impacted. Numerous factors have been previously identified that create DMC, but increasingly factors such as zero-tolerance in schools and proactive policing in communities are continuing to negatively impact reduction efforts. Emerging issues indicate the need to consider society’s demographic changes, the criminalization of spaces often occupied by youth of color, and gender differences when creating and implementing strategies to reduce DMC.

Gender, Justice, and Youth Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 802-830
Author(s):  
Francine T. Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Black Girls ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Community Based

From the time the first US training school for girls was opened in 1856 to today, girls have been over-represented in the juvenile justice system for behaviors that stem from trauma, and the justice system has been used to promote a narrow and typical view of female gender-conforming behavior. This chapter examines the pathways girls and LGBTQ youth take into and through the juvenile justice system to show disparate impact on black girls, girls with child-welfare histories, girls who experience violence in their homes, girls with mental and behavioral health issues, and girls and LGBTQ youth who are victims of sex trafficking. In all these categories, best practices would reduce juvenile and criminal justice system involvement in favor of community-based, positive developmental solutions. Some of those more promising and evidence-based solutions are provided at the conclusion of the chapter.

Lesbian, Bisexual, Questioning, Gender-Nonconforming, and Transgender (LBQ/GNCT) Girls in the Juvenile Justice System

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Irvine ◽  
Aisha Canfield ◽  
Jessica Roa
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Gender Nonconforming ◽  
Care Services ◽  
System P ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Harmful Effects

LGBTQ youth’s involvement with the juvenile justice system occurs in the context of family conflict, parental rejection of homosexuality, trauma, and hostility at school and in the community. As they run away from abuse, LGBTQ youth are more likely to commit survival crimes and get arrested for offenses related to homelessness. This chapter focuses on the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, queer, and gender-nonconforming girls in juvenile justice settings and examines how biases about gender and sexual orientation affect court decisions and correctional practices. Lack of awareness and training about LGBTQ issues compounds the harmful effects of homophobia, transphobia, and racism and adversely impacts lesbian, queer, and gender-nonconforming girls’ rights to due process, as well as their access to appropriate health care services. This chapter makes recommendations for LGBTQ-affirming practices in juvenile justice settings.

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